Multiphase buffering by ammonia sustains sulfate production in atmospheric aerosols

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that ammonia acts as a buffer in atmospheric aerosols, allowing sulfate production to continue despite acidification, with significant implications for understanding human impact on atmospheric chemistry.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a characteristic buffering time, { au}buff, to explain how ammonia buffers aerosol acidity, sustaining sulfate formation in the atmosphere.

Findings

Buffering by NH4+/NH3 extends sulfate production duration.

Global sulfate production is maintained over days due to ammonia buffering.

Human ammonia emissions significantly influence atmospheric sulfate chemistry.

Abstract

Multiphase oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an important source of sulfate in the atmosphere. There are, however, concerns that protons produced during SO2 oxidation may cause rapid acidification of aerosol water and thereby quickly shut down the fast reactions favored at high pH. Here, we show that the sustainability of sulfate production is controlled by the competing effects of multiphase buffering and acidification, which can be well described by a characteristic buffering time, {\tau}buff. We find that globally, {\tau}buff is long enough (days) to sustain sulfate production over most populated regions, where the acidification of aerosol water is counteracted by the strong buffering effect of NH4+/NH3. Our results highlight the importance of anthropogenic ammonia emissions and pervasive human influences in shaping the chemical environment of the atmosphere.